Champions League T20: Chennai Super Kings vs Trinidad & Tobago - Quick Flicks

A bad day in the office for the men in canary yellow

Clearly, Mike Hussey’s explosive revelations in his book Underneath the Southern Cross seems to have affected the former IPL and Champions League winners Chennai Super Kings badly, as they came a cropper against a rampant Trinidad & Tobago side in a low-scoring game.

While it remains to be seen as to how long the former Aussie middle-order specialist can be a part of the beleaguered franchise, the Yellow Brigade dished out a performance far below their best, getting shot out for a total considered meagre even by Twenty20 standards.

In contrast, their opponents were far more professional and ruthless in their approach as they strolled to a classic victory with a blistering all-round performance.

Here are the Quick Flicks for the game:

Hussey flops

I suppose penning down explosive details in your book and then revealing it to the public-at-large is bound to have an impact on your game. Ever the consummate professional, Mike shrugged off the resultant uproar caused by his sensational disclosure in classic Aussie nonchalance as he trained with his usual intensity in his preparations before tonight’s game.

Unfortunately, Ravi Rampaul chose to shatter his stumps with a length ball that nipped back in when he had made just one.

Deprived of the solid, steady starts that they’re used to, the CSK camp might just have given Mr. Cricket  a huge dressing-down. A big let-down, Huss – you might want to consider blogging privately as a better alternative!

Simmons’ field day

Lendl Simmons proved to be the surprise package tonight, as he did the star turn for his side with the bat, ball and in the field.

In quick time, he sent back Murali Vijay and the dangerous Suresh Raina, and managed to hold on to a Dhoni power-shot off Rayad Emrit.

To cap it all, he scored a rapid, stroke-filled half century to deliver his side to the doorsteps of victory, and was rightly awarded Man of the Match for his efforts.

Nothing like stealing the show from the likes of Raina, Dhoni and Morkel, is it, Lendl?

Bravo wins, Bravo loses

Dwayne Bravo must have felt like a fool tonight. Not only did he face off against a side that he once captained, he also came into the uncomfortable position of having the winning runs scored off him by half-brother Darren.

For the lure of money and fame, there is no greater dishonour than abandoning a team you have grown up playing for. And Dwayne simply forgot that.

It is not the first time the WI all-rounder has turned out in the Champions League for his IPL franchise – he played for the Mumbai Indians in one season. Perhaps the on-going turmoil in his current team might force a re-thinking of his strategy.

Strangest format ever

In any case, both teams have entered the semi-finals. Three Indian sides in the last four – looks similar to the IPL, doesn’t it? Then why create a separate ‘global’ tournament if you’re going to ensure that the host nation (India, in this case) has at least one team in the penultimate stage?

Also, the format of this tournament is also quite strange. You pour heart and soul into achieving a winning streak for your side, only to run up against the same opponents you defeated twice in league matches, waiting for you in the semis. No wonder this makes people dub the CLT20 as a ‘useless’ tournament. Are the organizers listening?